Phileas T. Cat

A Noble Feline

Phileas T. Cat

Growing up we had many generations of outdoor cats. They kept our small gardens free of rodents. There are many checkered stories. Some crossbred with a wild bobcat. We also had a whole generation named for the cats for the seminal broadway musical of the same name.

Flash forward to the late 90s as my brother went east to attain his PhD. He took with him 2 kitties, Quark and Phileas. Quark, the runt of the bunch, and named for the subatomic particle. Phileas got his name from the great adventurer of Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days. Quark, unfortunately, had a heart condition. Phileas stayed on until 2016, a full life of 18+ years.

In the mid 2000s, my brother traveled to England to teach. My parents and I were charged with Phileas’ care. I didn’t want my brother to miss him so I made this 8.5” x 11” charcoal drawing of Phileas. I honestly think it’s one of my best ever. Phileas T. Cat: Lord of Adam, Perfect Purr Extraodinaire, Keeper of the Sun-Lit Nap & Defender of the Lap.